Our NY State Licensed Teachers

  • Irina Ionina

    Owner/Director of The New York School of Esthetics and Day Spa/Advanced Classes Teacher

    Irina Ionina has a background in biology. She is an esthetician and a massage therapist with more than 20 years of experience.

    Irina was the first instructor at New York School of Esthetics and began her journey in April, 2005.

    As a result of her 17 years of teaching, many students now pursue a career in skincare. It has been a great pleasure for Irina to see them succeed. She is so proud that so many graduates stay connected with the school, and even become teaching instructors. Irina is grateful to have had such a long time in this ever changing industry. She is exited to have the opportunity to support the school’s staff/team of teachers and to further fulfill her dream of helping students continue to succeed.

    Irina is a Reiki Master, an ANF Trained Healer, a Laser Light Therapy Instructor, and continually continues to add on to her long list of accolades and certifications.

  • Casey Penn

    Owner/Director of Admissions of The New York School of Esthetics and Day Spa

    Casey is a Licensed Proprietary School Director, Licensed Proprietary School Agent, both through New York Bureau of Proprietary Schools and is Federal Financial Aid Officer.

    Casey also holds her New York State Esthetics License and is certified in Lash Extensions, Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, Brow

    Lamination, Hard Wax and Advanced Brow Mapping.

    Casey began working at The New York School of Esthetics in its Tarrytown, location back in 2006 as an office manager and student relations advocate. She has since grown with the school during its growth and expansion to the current White Plains location.

    Casey concentrates on the student journey from start to finish. Beginning with the student’s entrance interview, helping throughout the Financial Aid process and through completion of the students New York State Board Examinations. Her focus has been and always will making sure the student experience is the most important part of The New York School of Esthetics and Day Spa.

    Casey Graduated from Manhattan College in 2006 with a degree in Corporate Communications. She has also attended the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) where The New York School of Esthetics holds its accreditation and is a Federal Title IV Officer and Licensed by the New York Bureau of Proprietary Schools.

  • Christina Edsall

    Financial Aid & Licensing Director

    In 2015, Christina decided to make her love affair with skin and the beauty industry official and leave her 10+ year career in Sports medicine to attend esthetics school.

    After working in the field as a Brow Rehab & Brazilian Waxing specialist, she found a passion for sharing her expertise and began teaching Esthetics full time and earned her certification as a Trailblazer Master Educator with Milady.

    Being devoted to student success on all levels, Christina now serves as Financial Aid Officer and guides students throughout their academic and financial journeys here at the New York School of Esthetics.

  • Polina Ionina

    Teacher/Esthetician

    A NYS licensed esthetician, Polina is proud to be a teacher at the NYSOE where she began her journey. She has been an esthetician ever since she was 17. She has worked at the best spas in New York City including Oasis Day Spa NYC and Equinox Rockefeller Center. Polina has been so passionate about informing her clients about their skin, educating them about their daily skin care routines, the way that certain ingredients interact with their particular skin type and how particular modalities help achieve her client’s skin care goals. Now, she is excited to keep sharing her knowledge with her students. She is dedicated to education, to the next generation of estheticians. She is focused on giving her students unparalleled support to make their dreams come true, to informing them in detail about how to become their absolute best selves in the industry. She is particularly excited about LASER light therapy and other medical esthetics modalities. Polina is honored to be teaching the full time day class at NYSOE and the Dermaplaing advanced class. She hopes to instill in her students the knowledge and curiosity required to keep driving the industry forward.

  • Dana Pizzolongo

    Substitute Teacher/Esthetician/Advanced Classes Teacher

    Dana, a NYS licensed Esthetician and Instructor has been in the industry for over ten years. She is one of our very own alumni. Dana’s esthetics journey began when she was a very young girl. Her passion is to be apart of people’s success and happiness. Growing up she would always help family and friends with skin care. She then quickly pursued a career in esthetics. Dana went on to work at popular waxing company. From there she became one of the top Waxing Specialists.  She led the training program within her area. Dana developed her own way of not only teaching the craft, but growing some of the top performing associates within the company. With waxing being her number one and creating the perfect arch of an eyebrow, she still remained close to skincare. The instant gratification of treatment services for her clients gave her so much satisfaction. Dana maintained a clientele outside of her waxing career. She would travel from place to place making people feel good within the comfort of their own home. Soon enough, Dana realized it was time that she opened her own place, a haven, for her and her clients. She is now an owner of a full service spa with various Estheticians. Her success is their success. Dana thrives off of seeing people reaching their highest. That has always been her passion. Dana teaches both ‘Advanced Brow with Hard Wax’ and the ‘Brazilian with Hard Wax’ courses. Her desire to grow, learn, and teach is endless.

  • Jill K.

    Advanced classes Teacher/Esthetician

    Jill K. had always said “In another life time I am going to be a Makeup Artist.” Her journey and path in the Cosmetic Industry can be summarized in one word, DREAM! Jill graduated with a Business degree from Pace University. She went on to work at Pace Law School as a Faculty Assistant while pursuing her Masters in Education in the evening. In 2005, her MAC makeup collection expanded and Jill’s small hobby and interest in makeup grew. On one of her many trips to the MAC Counter in Nordstrom at the Westchester, she was offered a part time job. This part time job became Jill’s world. She discovered her dream, passion and life’s mission. “It was my second day of work and I knew…this is what I had to do, for the rest of my life!” Jill K., possesses a one of a kind intense, passionate and goal oriented mind, heart and spirit and knew Cosmetics was where she needed to be. Her career with MAC, filled with education, immeasurable, indescribable and amazing experiences lasted 4 years. Jill, accepted a promotion working as a Business Manager for Bobbi Brown. Working for another Estee Lauder brand molded her into a well rounded, polished and Luxury Makeup Artist. By 2009, Jill left Retail without ever glancing back; working in Retail afforded Jill the opportunity to build a solid clientele and reputation in Westchester County. Jill is proud of her #1 Rule of Thumb, “I never ever say No.” This rule of thumb was the inspiration for a makeup service company. In 2009, she attended the New York School of Esthetics and earned her New York State Esthetics License. She discovered a need for a makeup course at the school and was asked by the owner to develop a curriculum. In 2011, Jill K., had the only curriculum in New York State to be approved and went onto teach the first Advanced Makeup Course in Westchester County. Over the next few years Jill would fly all over the world and receive training, education and experience which would lead to other course curriculums and Advanced Classes at The New York School of Esthetics. Advanced Courses in addition to the Advanced Makeup Course include: Eye Lash Extensions, Microblading, Powder Brows, Scalp Micropigmentation and there are other Permanent Makeup Courses in the works!

    At the end of the day, Jill genuinely feels as if she won the lottery. To be able to do what you are most passionate about and positively impact lives each and every day is amazing and will never be taken for granted.

  • Chanel Holcombe

    Teacher/Esthetician

    Chanel Holcombe has been a licensed esthetician for over four years and has always been impassioned about lending her knowledge to others on how to properly care for their skin. Chanel started her career working for Glo Spa in the financial district; catering to many influencers and celebrity clientele. Chanel moved on to work for Shiseido Americas clean beauty brand bareMinerals, where she leveraged her beauty acumen for 2.5 years before resigning. Chanel opened her own spa boutique, Beauteous in Yonkers NY, to showcase her unique set of skills. Having been a former graduate of the New York School of Esthetics, Chanel decided to join the team as a clinical instructor in February of 2022. This position allows Chanel to provide students with her level of knowledge in the esthetician field while seamlessly running her business. As a clinical instructor; Chanel promotes efficiency, and teamwork by leveraging leadership abilities to develop a positive and rewarding education atmosphere. Chanel’s background has always been devoted to facilitating professional development in any aspect of business that she is involved in. Chanel spends her free time socializing with friends and family and LOVES to travel.

  • Alannah Sosa

    Teacher/Esthetician

    Alannah had her beginnings in the spa industry as a day spa receptionist. She quickly began to learn a lot about skin services and began appreciating and finding a passion for skin care. A NYSE graduate, she now has become a wonderful skin therapist with a main focus on skin care. Experienced in multiple areas of the day spa industry, not only in performing treatments such as facials, derma planing, microdermabrasion, tanning, body treatments and waxing, but also in day spa management, brand education and administration. Alannah also has a background as a medical esthetician, having experience in working hand in hand with dermatologists in the treatment of acne, and anti-aging laser modalities. In her daily life, she focuses her expertise mostly in brand education and spa management. In the treatment room she specializes in the treatment of acne, acne scarring and milia removal, but is multifaceted, and knowledgable in all aspects of the industry.

  • Vanessa Cincotta

    Teacher/Esthetician

    Vanessa has been a licensed esthetician for 7 years. After she gained years of waxing and skin care experience up and down the east coast’s finest spas.

    She specializes in quick, easy and painless Brazilians, brow shaping, and advanced modality treatments tailored to fit individual clients' needs. She is certified in Dermalogica, microdermabrasion, eyelash extensions, ClarityRx and led light therapy. In her free time she likes to learn new skills and spend time with her family.

  • Estefany Perez

    Teacher/Esthetician

    Becoming an esthetician was a dream come true for Estefany. It is a pleasure to help others achieve that dream as an instructor now.

    Estefany specializes in waxing and facials. She has also worked with dermatologists and assisted plastic surgeons for nearly a decade now. Esthetics is not just a job for Estefany, it is a huge part of her life—a career that brigs her joy. She hopes to encourage students to move around the field and apply their education wherever they may go.

  • Kristin Healy

    Teacher/Esthetician

    Kristin has been a licensed esthetician since 2012. She began her career at a very large waxing chain where she quickly moved up to lead wax specialist. Soon after she was promoted to regional trainer for all the stores in Manhattan and that’s where her passion for teaching emerged.

    After almost a decade Kristin decided it was time to leave the city and she opened her own studio in Paramus, NJ. There she specializes in waxing and lash lifts. While owning her own business has been extremely fulfilling she truly missed teaching and that’s when she found the New York School of Esthetics. Teaching is a passion and she believes you are never done learning.

    Kristin is certified in Brazilian waxing, full body waxing, advanced eyebrow design, chemical peels, lash extensions, lash lifts and eyebrow lamination.

  • Alexandria Anastasio

    Teacher / Esthetician

    Alexandria has been a licensed esthetician for over four years. Alexandria started her career working at some of the top skin care clinics in Manhattan and then opened her own business - DEW. She is also a certified health coach and nutritionist. As a clinical teacher, Alexandria is dedicated to teaching those who are just as passionate about skincare all there is to know about the industry.

  • Deanna Fortune

    Teacher/Esthetician

    Deanna attended Dermalogica Academy in New York City. She has been a passionate Esthetician for over 8 years and is committed to lifelong exploration and learning as the industry continues to evolve. Deanna has received multiple certifications in advanced treatments, permanent makeup and Oncology Esthetics. She obtained her New York teacher license in 2022. Deanna hopes to make an impact on her students by sharing her experiences and creating a nurturing learning environment for students to thrive in.

  • Cassie Jones

    Teacher/Esthetician/Nutritionist

    Cassie is a licensed aesthetician and holds a master's in nutrition. A graduate of NYSOE, she has been practicing medical aesthetics for the past five years. A member of the Skin of Color Society and the American Medical Women's Association, she focuses her attention on deepening the knowledge of students so that they may too become a part of a larger network of skin health professionals. Cassie gives attention to clinical dermatology, nutrition, inclusivity in skin care, and advanced esthetic techniques. She loves horror films, spaghetti, and cats.

  • Vanessa Biagioli

    Teacher/Esthetician

    Vanessa is licensed in both NY and CT, and has been teaching for over 10 years. She currently owns her own spa, which has been open since 2005 and is Certified as a Dermalogica Expert. Vanessa's drive goes above and beyond skincare, as she finds inspiration in the eyes of her students and clients. Being able to help her student's learn, grow and get excited about their futures in the esthetics industry is a gift she truly values. Vanessa is passionate about continuing education and is always learning about new innovations in the industry. In her freetime, she can be found snuggling her cat, Lucky or being "The Cool Aunt" spending as much time as possible with her nieces and nephews.

  • Francesca Tetti

    Substitute Teacher/Esthetician

    NYS Licensed Esthetic Instructor, 2021

    NYS Licensed Esthetician, 2012

    Makeup artist ,2010

    Certified in Speed Waxing, Teeth Whitening, Dermaplaning

    Certified in Hyaluron Pen